Sports Scene: Former UNM coach King dies at age 81

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Former University of New Mexico coach Bob King, who turned the Lobos' basketball program into a national power in the 1960s, died Friday. He was 81.

King died at the Veteran's Administration Hospital, where he had been hospitalized since taking a fall at home Nov. 16.

He coached at New Mexico from 1962-1972 and led the Lobos to a pair of Western Athletic Conference titles in 1964 and 1968. He never had a losing season at New Mexico.

His 1967-68 team went 23-5, was ranked as high as fourth in the nation and earned UNM's first berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Under King, the Lobos also made three NIT appearances, including reaching the finals in 1964.

Sprinter Collins suspended eight years for doping

DENVER - Sprinter Michelle Collins was suspended for eight years for a doping violation linked to the BALCO scandal and will forfeit results that include 2003 indoor world and U.S. titles in the 200 meters.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Friday that a three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association concluded Collins, 33, used various performance-enhancing substances that allegedly were provided by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

Though Collins never tested positive for banned substances, the appeals panel concluded she used the drugs for several years.

Miller, winner of both downhill races this season and the World Cup overall leader, left the course by the time the disqualification was announced. The move has no bearing on his participation in Saturday's race.

Giant slalom suits are fitted with plastic padding to protect skiers when they hit gates in the technical disciplines. The padding makes them more aerodynamic and faster than the more porous downhill outfits.

"He wore the GS suit instead of the downhill suit because he hits the gates hard and because it's warmer," U.S. men's coach Phil McNichol said. "And he knew today's training had no bearing on the start numbers. He'll be wearing the right suit for the race."